Cicerone Certified Beer Server Practice Exam

How should you handle a beer bottle to avoid agitation of sediment?

1. Shake the bottle before pouring

2. Open it quickly to release pressure

3. Be gentle when removing the cork or cap

4. Store the bottle upside down

The correct answer is: Be gentle when removing the cork or cap

To avoid agitation of sediment in a beer bottle, the best approach is to be gentle when removing the cork or cap. Sediment is typically found in bottle-conditioned beers and can be stirred up by abrupt movements. When you carefully and slowly remove the cork or cap, you minimize the disturbance of this sediment, allowing for a cleaner pour. This technique helps maintain the clarity of the beer in your glass, enhancing the drinking experience and preserving the intended flavor profile. The other choices would not prevent agitation effectively. For instance, shaking the bottle intentionally would certainly disturb the sediment, making it mix with the beer. Opening it quickly could also create turbulence that agitates the sediment, leading to a cloudy pour. Storing the bottle upside down is generally not advisable for bottles with sediment, as it encourages sediment to settle in a position where it could be disturbed during pouring.